AND they had taken their "foot off the gas pedal"... it was not entirely fair to G Binnington, it allowed the Devils some opportunities, it got nasty and there were retaliatory penalties against the Blues, a 5 on 3 for the Devils resulted in a score.
Another road trip for the Blues, starting with a game in AZ tomorrow against a motivated 55 point AZ team that is only 4 points out of the #2 wild card spot.
Agree.
It is time to be careful. The Blues play 5 more, now, 4 on the road, and several against teams that are in the wildcard playoff hunt and are hungry.
Tonight, Arizona is 4 points out of the #2 wildcard spot, so they are very motivated, at home, just beat LV on the road and Stars before that. AZ recognizes the Blues as a huge challenge (several weeks ago they would not have).
So I am not recommending the Blues tonight, especially laying big ML juice on the road.
Oh, I think they are playing very good hockey, and are for real, but in this spot it might be good to take a night off with them. If you need to gamble, then go with a small play *Blues -1.5 + 185 with the assumption that the Blues are absolutely positively for real, and that Binnington will hold them to 1-2 goals. This is very possible... but again as I noted in the streak a lot of the teams "had it made" (Tampa-Nashville-Nashville) so were not necessarily going all out full speed ahead. I would not lay the ML juice in case the Blues finally are flat and AZ comes out blasting!
GL!
* yes I am making a very small play on them what the hell other than the 2nd Nashville game they clearly out checked, out shot/got more scoring opportunities, out hustled, out played everybody 7 games in a row and with Binnington romped
A 4-0 W on the road, the Blues look to be for real, Arizona is missing some players but had just won @ LV and against Dallas, so a dominant shutout win on the road is a legit indication.
The Blues clearly outplayed the Coyotes in most every phase of the game.
I think it will be wise to play them the next several games even though most are on the road... but I think they have a back to back situation and Allen will probably be in goal and that is risky so that one is TBD.
I like wildcard-motivated hungry teams, especially at home, so tonight Minny -1.5 versus a weary reeling NJ team is a big opportunity, and Buffalo & Carolina both, in regulation -1/2, are smaller moves for me.
GL!
The Blues clearly outplayed the Coyotes in most every phase of the game.
I think it will be wise to play them the next several games even though most are on the road... but I think they have a back to back situation and Allen will probably be in goal and that is risky so that one is TBD.
I like wildcard-motivated hungry teams, especially at home, so tonight Minny -1.5 versus a weary reeling NJ team is a big opportunity, and Buffalo & Carolina both, in regulation -1/2, are smaller moves for me.
GL!
I put a little on the Blues today -115, though Colorado will be playing all out.
Blues still need a win, were impressive again in AZ, so I will ride them again.
I cannot see going with them back to back on the road tomorrow in Minnesota, though, Minny has a day of rest and will be angry about their collapse last night (up 4-1, lost 5-4 in OT WTF?). Blues will be tired and probably have Allen in goal, so I will pass tomorrow.
Blues still need a win, were impressive again in AZ, so I will ride them again.
I cannot see going with them back to back on the road tomorrow in Minnesota, though, Minny has a day of rest and will be angry about their collapse last night (up 4-1, lost 5-4 in OT WTF?). Blues will be tired and probably have Allen in goal, so I will pass tomorrow.
Well, they smothered Colorado 3-0, two shutout road wins in a row vs legitimate playoff contenders. The Blues continue to play solid all around hockey.
I did not know about Allen starting, I was out and about today, had assumed Binnington would start, but fortunately Allen played well.
Tomorrow, with Binnington, now, I might go with the Blues again even in the back to back road situation against a better rested team. Minny coming off a loss, wondering what happened to them, they blew a 4-1 lead to a bad team, lost 5-4 last night.
Here's a way to play the Minnesota / St. Louis game today. Minnesota is likely seething after allowing the Devils to beat them in overtime at home the other night. They've had a couple of days to simmer on that loss where New Jersey scored the final 3 goals in the game. Look for them to come out smoking this afternoon versus a team who played yesterday and had to travel from Colorado to Minnesota last night. I like the Wild to win the first period (-1/2 goal +175). The Blues are the better and hotter team and may wear down the Wild over the rest of the game. But I'll take my chances at nice odds that Minnesota gets an early jump in this game.
Yes I have been on them every game, even after my initial 5 game initiative, riding them till they lose 2 in a row.
But I am cautious in recommending them at this point because 1) Vegas/juice has caught up with them and, 2) today, they are playing back to back road games against a better rested, solid playoff contender coming off a bad loss... worried the Blues will falter in the 3rd.
Nevertheless, they are hot, so today I am going with them, ML +100, even though it is a tough spot... Binnington is scheduled to be back in goal.
GL!
But I am cautious in recommending them at this point because 1) Vegas/juice has caught up with them and, 2) today, they are playing back to back road games against a better rested, solid playoff contender coming off a bad loss... worried the Blues will falter in the 3rd.
Nevertheless, they are hot, so today I am going with them, ML +100, even though it is a tough spot... Binnington is scheduled to be back in goal.
GL!
(Feb 4, two weeks ago)
Yesterday, 4-0, another impressive win, a back to back road game against a better rested, playoff caliber team... and Minny was coming off an embarrassing loss and was on high alert, needed the win.
The Blues are for real.
Solid.
Mostly the same players, but a different team, a different system, a different attitude. It is not just Binnington, nope, the whole team attacks on offense, prevents odd man rushes on defense that helps keep pressure off the goalie... Allen had a road shutout in Colorado Saturday. They backcheck, forecheck, get the loose pucks, sometimes look like they are on a power play when they are not...
Tarasenko is being allowed to be himself (shoot!), and O'Reilly, others are all playing well.
Not sure how far they will go, but I will ride them until they lose two in a row, and then be selective.
GL!
